Matthias found it hard to concentrate on work the next day. His mind kept going back to Sonia and the kids and how he would hide them. He didn’t realise how distracted he was until his brother James slammed a folder down on to his desk making him jump.
“For God’s sake, Matt!” he snapped. “You’ve just lost your wife and kids. What the hell are you doing here?”

“I-” Matthias began.

“Let me guess,” he said. “Trying to avoid thinking about it, huh?”

“Something like that.”

“It’s not working. You look like a wreck and do you even know what you wrote in here?” He waved the file at him. “Because I certainly don’t – it’s gibberish. Go home. We can run things without you for a few days.”

Matthias wanted to argue but when he looked in the folder he had to agree that it didn’t make sense. A few days off would give him a chance to find a new home for his family, also. So after making some token protests he headed home. He could work as well from there if he was needed.

***

He was sitting at a red traffic light when Tara Laverne appeared in the back seat of his car. She was crouched down so as not to be visible through the windows. “Marian is having you watched,” she said without preamble.

“Bloody hell!” Matthias jumped and turned to glare at her. “Don’t do that! You could have made me crash!”

“Nah!” She gave him a half smile. “That’s why I waited until you were stopped.” She nodded towards the lights just as a horn sounded behind him. “It’s green again, by the way.”

He sighed and started the car moving. “Does she suspect?”

“I don’t think so. She’s just being paranoid.I mean, the car went over that cliff and exploded in midair. It was in pieces on the sea floor when the authorities found it. She’s just still upset that we haven’t found the bodies.”

“Ah,” he said. “Well, for once she’s right to be. I suppose I should thank her flare for melodrama for this chance. If she hadn’t been so spectacular, the fact there were no bodies would have been obvious.”

“Yes.” She gave a wry smile. “She’s always been like that.”

“So she’s watching me?”

“You and Sonia’s family,” she said. “She assumes she’ll contact you or them if she’s alive.”

“Damn!” he thumped the steering wheel. “I knew there was some reason I didn’t want to contact Sarah but this…” he trailed off and swore again. “This is going to be complicated if I have to make sure I’m not tailed to her.” He scowled. “And that I’m not off the tail’s radar for too long.”

“It’ll work out,” she said. “I’ll tell you once you’re clear.” She glanced at her watch. “I’d better go before someone notices.”

“Thanks!” he said as she vanished again.

***

“The kids are starting to get bored stuck up here,” Sonia said when Matthias teleported into the attic that evening.

“I suppose they would be,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her. She was sitting in an old chair he’d found among the junk and was wrapped in a blanket. She had recovered enough that she was no longer in constant pain but it was becoming apparent that Tara Laverne had been right. She was going to be psychically crippled without help. “I’ll bring some more of their toys tomorrow evening. Though it looks like they’re sleeping now.” He kissed her forehead. “How are you feeling today?”

“Fine, unless I actually try to do something.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I tried to nudge Lydia earlier when she was acting up.” She shuddered convulsively.

“You mustn’t do that,” he said sharply. “Your wounds are too fresh.”

“I know, but it’s hard, Matt. I don’t even think about doing these things until it hurts.” She leaned in to him. “I need a healer. You should call Sarah.”

“I know,” he said. “But I daren’t. We also need to keep the fact you’re alive secret.”

“Sarah wouldn’t-” she began.

“Of course she wouldn’t, but Marian Laverne is having us both watched,” he said. “I was considering telling her but fortunately I was warned.”

“Damn! Well, they won’t watch you forever. Call her once you’re clear. Who warned you?”

He told her and her eyes widened. “That poor boy having to grow up in that family. I hope she figures out her vision before it comes true.” She shook her head. “Do you know where you’re going to hide us yet?”

“I have an idea,” he said. “I’ve brought some Estate Agents bumpf for you to look through and help me decide.” He pulled the folder out of his bag. “And let me tell you getting this with a tail on me was hard.”